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Big Latch On breastfeeding event comes to Iowa City

Iowa City resident Willow Fuchs organized Iowa City's Big Latch On breastfeeding event, which took place at the same time as similar international events. Attendees sought to raise awareness and form a community around breastfeeding issues.

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Mother Leah Goering says she breastfed her 4-week-old son, Truman Goering, during Iowa City’s Big Latch On breastfeeding event in the Pedestrian Mall to help normalize breastfeeding and to combat stigma about breastfeeding in public.
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By Holly Hines / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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A group of moms from the local area caught at least a few eyes during Iowa City's Big Latch On event Saturday as they breastfed in the pedestrian mall to show support for breastfeeding.

The Big Latch On is an international event calling on mothers to breastfeed en masse at the same time. This year marked the second annual Big Latch On for Iowa City, which drew 13 participants and eight supporters.

Leah Goering, a mom who participated in the event, said she can recall feeling nervous about breastfeeding in public at a Salvation Army in Michigan with her first son, who is now 3 years old.

Goering said that at the time, her nerves drove her to hide in the restroom while feeding him.

"I just never want anyone else to feel that way," she said.

On Saturday, Goering breastfed her 4-week-old son, Truman Goering, in the ped mall.

She said she attended the event to combat stigma associated with breastfeeding and to create a community, although she hasn't personally experienced any negative attention for breastfeeding in public in the Iowa City area.

"I really like living here because of that," she said.

Willow Fuchs, an Iowa City resident who organized the local event, said the purpose of the Big Latch On is to normalize breastfeeding, create a community in support of breastfeeding, and to set a record for the most women breastfeeding at once.

Fuchs attended the event with her two-year-old son, Kai Gander, who she still occasionally breastfeeds.

She said she's heard breastfeeding can help babies by boosting their immune systems, providing nutrients and reducing their risk of obesity. A benefit for moms she said she's heard about is a decreased risk of getting cancer.

Fuchs said some women face criticism for breastfeeding in public, but that she hasn't personally experienced any negative reactions.

"I feel like I've been pretty lucky about that," she said.

Fuchs said she feels it's important for people to spread the word about accepting women who breastfeed in public.

However, one onlooker during the Big Latch On said she viewed the event as unnecessary.

Jill Charron of Reston, Va., said that although she has no problem with women breastfeeding in public, she saw the event as a challenge that could incite controversy.

"It almost appeared as a dare," she said.

Allison Hall of Huntsville, Ala., also saw the event and said it sparked discussion among the group of people she sat with, including Charron. She said she thinks women should feel free to breastfeed in public, but that she thinks women should use drapes to cover their chests.

Don Frutchey of Reston, Va., who sat at a different table, said the Big Latch On didn't bother him, and that he's not offended by women breastfeeding in public.

"I think it's perfectly fine," he said.

Lucy Mills of Wilton traveled to Iowa City to participate in the Big Latch On and said the event is an opportunity to encourage breastfeeding as opposed to bottle feeding and to connect with other moms.

Mills, who fed her daughter pumped breast milk Saturday, said breastfeeding leads to optimal nutrition for babies and that it's important for people to be aware of breastfeeding issues.